Brad had already shot to fame by winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the triathlon and he encouraged the then-12-year-old to test his skills in the sport.

"The Kahlefeldts are family friends and Brad told me I should have a go at a triathlon," Alex said.

Now one of the Wagga Triants' most promising junior members, Alex is advising others to get involved in the sport.

They will get the chance when the Triants host a "come and try" triathlon at Charles Sturt University on Sunday.

The format will include a 1.9km run, an 11km cycle and a 200m swim.

Alex said plenty of hours of training are the key to success for a triathlete.

"You have to be an all-round athlete and work hard at all three sports which make up a triathlon," he said.

Mark trains three nights a week with his running coach Mark Conyers and devotes as much time to his swimming with Glennis Dean, while he pushes himself to do the hard yards on the bike.

The results are showing, with Alex winning two events last year. "I can see the improvement in the different legs and I definitely feel like I am getting stronger and quicker," he said.

For further information on the come and try day, contact Neil on 0428 325 576 or visit www.waggatriants.org.au.